Limiting current to a rotating disk electrode modified with an electroactive polymeric film in the presence of a redox pair in the adjacent solution volume

Expressions for the limiting current to a rotating disk electrode modified by a conductive polymeric film are obtained for different localization of a redox process that involves redox species in the bulk of the adjacent solution. For an electrode reaction on the modifying film surface, it is shown that the dependence of the limiting current on the bulk concentration of reacting species is described by a curve with saturation. Such a limitation does not arise for a reaction on the electrode substrate. This can serve as a criterion in location of the reaction zone. In addition, other possible prospects of the use of a rotating disk in studying the charge transfer in electroactive polymeric films are discussed.     

Thin-film rotating disk electrode as a tool for comparing the activity of catalysts in the hydrogen oxidation reaction

A thin-film disperse rotating disk electrode is used to study the hydrogen oxidation reaction on platinum catalysts E-TEK with different purification degrees and on disperse palladium catalysts obtained from colloid solutions of organometallic complex precursors with subsequent thermal decomposition in an inert atmosphere or in hydrogen at diverse temperatures. Kinetic currents of the hydrogen oxidation reaction on these catalysts are determined at a potential of 0.025 V. The obtained values of currents may be utilized for performing a comparative estimation of the activity of various catalysts and the degree of their purification from the precursors or accidental impurities.     

Evaluation of thin mercury film rotating disk electrode to perform absence of gradients and Nernstian equilibrium stripping (AGNES) measurements

In the present work, the applicability of thin mercury film on a rotating disk electrode (TMF-RDE), to assess the free metal ion concentration by the absence of gradients and Nernstian equilibrium stripping (AGNES), is evaluated. The thickness of the mercury film and several AGNES parameters has been optimized. A nominal 16 nm film is chosen due to the higher signal (faradaic current) relative to the value of the noise (capacitive current). Due to the smaller volume to area ratio, the deposition time needed to reach a certain preconcentration factor (Y) is much shorter than in larger electrodes, like the HMDE. The limit of detection (3σ) for lead(II) is 7.4 × 10⁻⁹ M and 7.2 × 10⁻⁸ M for a Y of 5000 (deposition time of 150 s) and 1000 (deposition time of 100 s), respectively. A specific mathematical treatment is developed in order to subtract a corrected blank taking into account the degradation of the thin film (presumably, falling down of drops). The couple TMF-RDE/AGNES is successfully applied for speciation purposes in the systems Pb(II)-latex nanospheres and Pb(II)-IDA (iminodiacetic acid), where the stability constants calculated for both systems agree with values reported in the literature.     

Modeling of mass and charge transfer in an inverted rotating disk electrode (IRDE) reactor

In this work, the validation of a newly constructed inverted rotating disk electrode (IRDE) reactor is reported. Compared to the rotating disk electrode (RDE) reactor, the working electrode is changed in position from the top to the bottom of the electrochemical cell. The IRDE reactor is designed to facilitate the actual study of gas evolution reactions. It is studied whether the first-order analytical expression for the velocity field in an RDE reactor is also acceptable for an IRDE configuration. To that purpose, the kinetic parameters of the well-known ferri/ferro cyanide redox system are determined in both configurations and compared. This is done qualitatively by comparing the polarization curves obtained in the inverted and the conventional RDE configuration. Additionally, a statistically founded fitting algorithm is used to quantitatively determine the model parameters of the oxidation and reduction reaction. Not only the diffusion coefficients of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ are calculated, but also the rate constants (k_ox and k_red) and the transfer coefficients (α_ox and α_red) are quantified and compared together with their respective standard deviation. It is found that the parameters of mass and charge transfer in both configurations agree well. So it is concluded that the same analytical equations of mass and charge transfer can be used in both the RDE and the IRDE reactor.     

Cathodic doping of thin-layered composites. Formed by electroactive polymers and rubbed single-walled carbon nanotubes

A simple method of electrostatic rubbing is developed for the application of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) to solid substrates. The method is applicable both to conducting materials (for example, glassy carbon) and insulators (for example, Teflon). The surface development of the obtained coatings is comparable to the bodies of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, which are grown on the TiN substrates. The possibility of cathodic doping of electron-conducting polybithiophene polymer and poly-o-phenylenediamine redox polymer on the substrates with SWNT is shown. The presence of nanotubes accelerates anodic synthesis of test polymers and improves the reversibility of their cathodic doping, the electrode surface development being the main factor.     

Biodegradation of soluble redox polymers. Part 2: (0.017ferrocene)amylose at a rotating disk electrode

The behavior of (ferrocene)amylose (FA), in the presence of amylolytic depolymerases (α-amylase from Aspergillus oryzae and human saliva), has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry at a rotating disk electrode (CVA/RDE). Growth of the limiting current with time in the presence of the enzymes is proportional to the amount of enzyme introduced. The quantitative data treatment to assay the endoamylolytic activity of enzymes at CVA/RDE involves plotting (i_dt/i_d0)^4.5 against time; the slope of the linear plot being equal to (rate) M_n0C⁻¹, where i_dt and i_d0 are the limiting currents at time t and 0, respectively, (rate) is the enzymatic activity, M_n0 is the number averaged molecular weight of FA at t = 0, and c is its concentration. The comparison of CVA/RDE with the 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid and the Somogyi–Nelson reducing saccharides procedures shows advantages of the former, especially in assaying small quantities of enzymes. Also the CVA/RDE approach is simpler and takes place under much milder conditions. The main disadvantage of CVA/RDE is the inhibiting effect of Triton X-100 in the reaction between FA and the amylases which is not observed in the case of native, ferrocene-free amylose. In general, CVA/RDE appears to be an attractive analytical method for monitoring diverse enzymatic depolymerization reactions.     

Microdroplet anodic stripping voltammetry at the in situ preparing antimony-modified rotating disk electrode for determination of Cd(II) and Pb(II)

A simple electroanalytical method for Cd(II) and Pb(II) detection based on differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPSV) with in situ prepared antimony-modified glassy carbon rotating disk electrode (in situ Sb-GC-RDE) was developed. The electrochemical detection was performed in a microdroplet (50 μL) of 0.01 M hydrochloric acid that is placed between the electrode surface (top) and a Parafilm®-covered glass slide to maintain a hydrophobic surface (bottom). This method includes a preconcentration process using a membrane filter (MF). The target metal ions were complexed with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) as a chelating agent, which was accumulated on the MF via filtration. The RDE microdroplet anodic stripping voltammetry was suitable for the elution and determination of metal ions accumulated on the MF. The in situ preparation of antimony-modified electrode allows the use of common GC electrode with high performance. The detection limits for Cd(II) and Pb(II) were 1.4 and 1.1 μg/L, respectively. The proposed method was successfully used in natural water samples for the simultaneous determination of Cd(II) and Pb(II).     

Electrochemical and Spectroelectrochemical Properties of Poly-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-phenylenediamine: The Effect of the Perrhenate Anion

Poly-o-phenylenediamine films applied to ITO are modified by rhenium oxides using cyclic voltammetry in an ammonium perrhenate sulfate solution. Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of the composite thus obtained are studied. It is shown that all its components undergo reversible redox conversion.     

Effect of the protonation level of poly(o-phenylenediamine) (PoPD) on the ac impedance of humidity-sensitive PoPD/poly(vinyl alcohol) composite film

A composite film consisting of poly(o-phenylenediamine) (PoPD) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) has been prepared, and the effect of the protonation level of PoPD on the response of the composite to humidity been investigated by ac impedance measurements. The electrochemical system of the PoPD/PVA composite in a humid atmosphere is represented by an electrochemical equivalent circuit containing film (R_film, C_film), Warburg (W) and interfacial (R_ct, C_dl) impedance. R_film was increased with decreasing protonation level of the PoPD in relative humidity regions higher than 40%, but it was almost independent of the protonation level in humidity regions lower than this percentage.     

Design variations of a polymer–enzyme composite biosensor for glucose: Enhanced analyte sensitivity without increased oxygen dependence

The glucose sensitivity and oxygen dependence of a variety of implantable biosensors based on glucose oxidase (GOx), incorporating an electrosynthesized poly-o-phenylenediamine (PPD) permselective barrier on 125-μm diameter Pt disks (Pt_D) and cylinders (Pt_C, 1-mm length), were measured and compared. Full glucose calibrations and experimental monitoring of solution oxygen concentration allowed us to determine apparent Michaelis–Menten parameters for glucose and oxygen. In the linear region of glucose response, the most sensitive biosensor design studied was Pt_D/PPD/GOx (enzyme deposited over polymer) that was 20 times more sensitive than the more widely used Pt_C/GOx/PPD (enzyme immobilized before polymer deposition) configuration. The oxygen dependence, quantified as K_M(O₂), of both active and less active designs was surprisingly similar, a finding that could be rationalized in terms of an increase in K_M(G) with increased enzyme loading. The Pt_D/PPD/GOx design will now enable us to explore glucose concentration dynamics in smaller and layered brain regions with good sensitivity and minimal interference from fluctuations in tissue pO₂.     

Electric mass transport of sodium chloride through cation-exchange membrane MK-40 in dilute sodium chloride solutions: A rotating membrane disk study

The polarization properties of an electromembrane system consisting of an MK-40 membrane and a dilute sodium chloride solution are investigated with an experimental apparatus, which includes a rotating membrane disk with a horizontally positioned membrane. For the electrochemical systems of MK-40/0.01 M NaCl and MK-40/0.001 M NaCl, effective ion transport numbers and partial current-voltage curves are determined for sodium and hydrogen ions, and limiting-current densities and the diffusion-layer thickness are calculated as functions of the rotation rate of the membrane disk. The space-charge distribution in the diffusion layer and in the membrane is calculated for various current densities and rotation rates of the membrane. It is shown that when electric-current densities are greater than the limiting value, ion fluxes of the salt increase as a result of a decrease in the effective thickness of the diffusion layer. This decrease is caused by the development of space charge, electroconvection, water dissociation, and the exaltation effect in the region near the membrane. It has been established that in dilute solutions the limiting current is not purely electrodiffusive in nature.     

Microscopic observation of the crystalline form of poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-methoxyaniline) on a membrane electrode

We describe electrochemical and microscopic (SEM) studies on the electrochemical polymerization of poly(o-methoxyaniline). The crystalline form of the polymer was obtained. The poly(o-methoxyaniline) crystals are formed on a membrane electrode from an acidic solution of the monomer. It is suggested that the pores of the membrane work as nuclear crystallization points.Contribution to the 3rd Baltic Conference on Electrochemistry, Gdansk-Sobieszewo, Poland, 23–26 April 2003Dedicated to the memory of Harry B. Mark, Jr. (28 February 1934–3 March 2003)     

Hidden in plain sight: unlocking the full potential of cyclic voltammetry with the thin-film rotating (ring) disk electrode studies for the investigation of oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalysts

Cyclic voltammetry conducted with a thin-film rotating disk electrode, or ring-disk electrode (CV-TF-R(R)DE) is a very popular ‘ex situ’ tool for the rapid screening of electrocatalysts for their activity in oxygen reduction reaction. Despite its popularity and broad use, in most instances only a small part of the information that could be accessed by CV-TF-R(R)DE is actually used by scientists in their research. This work outlines both innovative and more traditional (but half-forgotten) ways of using CV-TF-R(R)DE to its optimal or full potential in the ongoing quest to study the most relevant features of oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalysts and quickly identify the most promising candidates for their applications in fuel cells or other electrochemical devices.     

Voltammetric sensor for nitrite determination based on its electrocatalytic reduction at the surface of p-duroquinone modified carbon paste electrode

A p-duroquinone (tetramethyl-p-benzoquinone) modified carbon paste electrode (DMCPE) was employed to study the electrocatalytic reduction of nitrite in aqueous solutions using cyclic voltammetry (CV), double potential-step chronoamperometry, and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). It has found that under an optimum condition (pH 1.00), the reduction of nitrite at the surface of DMCPE occurs at a potential of about 660 mV less negative than that of an unmodified carbon paste electrode (CPE). The catalytic rate constant, k′_h, based on Andrieux and Saveant theoretical model was calculated as for scan rate 10 mV s^-1. Also, the apparent diffusion coefficient, D _app, was found as 2.5 × 10^–10 and 3.61 × 10^–5 cm² s^-1 for p-duroquinone in carbon paste matrix and nitrite in aqueous buffered solution, respectively. The values for αn_α were estimated to be −0.65 and −0.19 for the reduction of nitrite at the surface of DMCPE and CPE, respectively. The electrocatalytic reduction peak currents showed a linear dependence on the nitrite concentration, and a linear analytical curve was obtained in the ranges of 5.0 × 10^–5 M to 8.0 × 10^–3 M and 6.0 × 10^–6 M to 8.0 × 10^–4 M of nitrite concentration with CV and DPV methods, respectively. The detection limits (2σ) were determined as 2.5 × 10^–5 M and 4.3 × 10^–6 M by CV and DPV methods. This method was also applied as a simple, selective and precise method for determination of nitrite in real samples (the weak liquor from the wood and paper factory of Mazandaran province in Iran) by using a standard addition method.     

Palladized aluminum electrode covered by Prussian blue film as an effective transducer for electrocatalytic oxidation and hydrodynamic amperometry of N-acetyl-cysteine and glutathione

The mediated oxidation of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and glutathione (GL) at the palladized aluminum electrode modified by Prussian blue film (PB/Pd–Al) is described. The catalytic activity of PB/Pd–Al was explored in terms of Fe^III[Fe^III(CN)₆]/Fe^III[Fe^II(CN)₆]¹⁻ system by taking advantage of the metallic palladium layer inserted between PB film and Al, as an electron-transfer bridge. The best mediated oxidation of NAC and GL on the PB/Pd–Al electrode was achieved in 0.5 M KNO₃ + 0.2 M potassium acetate of pH 2. The mechanism and kinetics of the catalytic oxidation reactions of the both compounds were monitored by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The charge transfer-rate limiting step as well as overall oxidation reaction of NAC or GL is found to be a one-electron abstraction. The values of transfer coefficients α, catalytic rate constant k and diffusion coefficient D are 0.5, 3.2 × 10² M⁻¹ s⁻¹ and 2.45 × 10⁻⁵ cm² s⁻¹ for NAC and 0.5, 2.1 × 10² M⁻¹ s⁻¹ and 3.7 × 10⁻⁵ cm² s⁻¹ for GL, respectively. The modifying layers on the Pd–Al substrate have reproducible behavior and a high level of stability in the electrolyte solutions. The modified electrode is exploited for hydrodynamic amperometry of NAC and GL. The amperometric calibration graph is linear in concentration ranges 2 × 10⁻⁶–40 × 10⁻⁶ for NAC and 5 × 10⁻⁷–18 × 10⁻⁶ M for GL and the detection limits are 5.4 × 10⁻⁷ and 4.6 × 10⁻⁷ M, respectively.     

Structural features of the electrode/solution interface at the reduction of Cr3+(aq) cations on liquid mercury and solid indium electrodes in acidic media

Characteristics of electroreduction of Cr³⁺ and Cr²⁺ ions on the dropping mercury (literature data) and indium cathodes are analyzed as a function of pH of the medium. A hypothesis that polymeric hydroxocompounds of chromium, which are present in different aggregate states, represent the main or partial reactants in the $ Cr\left( {III} \right)\xrightarrow{{ + e}}Cr\left( {II} \right)\xrightarrow{{ + 2e}}Cr Characteristics of electroreduction of Cr³⁺ and Cr²⁺ ions on the dropping mercury (literature data) and indium cathodes are analyzed as a function of pH of the medium. A hypothesis that polymeric hydroxocompounds of chromium, which are present in different aggregate states, represent the main or partial reactants in the stages is additionally substantiated. Original Russian Text ? V.N. Korshunov, V.A. Safonov, L.N. Vykhodtseva, 2008, published in Elektrokhimiya, 2008, Vol. 44, No. 3, pp. 275–285.     

Octacyanomolybdate-doped-poly(4-vinylpyridine) ionomer film electrode for the electrocatalytic oxidation of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-ascorbic acid

Poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PVP)-based anion exchange polymers are not studied as much as cation exchange polymers Nafion and Eastman Kodak AQ for electroanalytical applications. Similarly, octacyanomolybdate [Mo(CN)₈ ⁴⁻] has not been studied much as a redox mediator. This communication presents results from examinations of the behaviour of Mo(CN)₈ ⁴⁻-doped PVP ionomer film electrode to highlight the opportunities for realization of the application of this composite electrode for l-ascorbic acid (AH₂) estimation via electrocatalytic mediation in acidic medium. The modified electrodes were characterized by cyclic voltammetry and rotating disc electrode voltammetry. PVP coatings possess strong anion-binding capacity for Mo(CN)₈ ⁴⁻ mediator with an extraction coefficient of 990, and electrostatically cross-linked PVP films offer insignificant resistance to permeation of AH₂, facilitating a cross-exchange reaction between the substrate and the mediator in the entire film volume. They show effective electrocatalytic oxidation of AH₂, with the oxidation potential of AH₂ decreased by ∼200 mV in overpotential compared to that at bare electrode. Mo(CN)₈ ⁴⁻/PVP composite electrode does not respond to the more common interferents of l-ascorbic acid estimation even at high positive potentials. These and several other attractive potentialities of the modified electrode are demonstrated by direct determination of AH₂ in a commercial vitamin C tablet without any special treatment, with the value closely agreeing (±0.75%) with the reference method.     

Enamines of the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroiso-quinoline series in the Chichibabin synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines and in reaction with oxalyl chloride

It has been shown that the Chichibabin reaction of enamines of the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline series and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrobenzo[f]isoquinoline series with p-bromophenacyl bromide leads to pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivatives. The same heterocyclic system is obtained on interaction of 1-alkyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines or their benzo[f]-analogs with oxalyl chloride. The obtained dioxopyrrolines form derivatives of benzo[g]quinoxalino[2,3-b]indolizine on condensation with o-phenylenediamine. __________ Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 7, pp. 1068–1074, July, 2007.